It has taken 32 years, five cars, and a lot of Google Translate, but I at last own a Mercedes-Benz. Last year I said yes to a beautiful sage-green 380 SLC. Or 380 SL C, to be precise. The kerning is important. A separate ‘C’ shows that it was a coupe derived from the SL. When SLC replaces SLK in a couple of years, you can be sure that space will have disappeared. Ironed out. Homogenised. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the C107 SLC is how for so long it appeared an anomaly in the Mercedes range.

With no direct heir or precedent, the SLC was the distorted version of the splendid roadster. In developing the SL, Mercedes’ styling team worked hard to visually lengthen the short-ish wheelbase of the roadster: cue an abundance of chrome and ribbed flanks. These elongations complemented the more limousine-like comfort levels that the car introduced. Trouble is, the SLC added a foot to these lines, and those tricks were stretched beyond their intent.

Yet look at today’s cars: Hatchbacks are enormous, and the wheelbase that once seemed too much on the SLC is now comparable to that of a C-Class. Suddenly those proportions leave the SL looking stumpy, and the SLC in a class of its own.

Class. An important word to describe the sage Mercedes. When I first drove her (and it is a her), I can only describe the feeling as if gently commandeering a stately dowager. Inputs were suggestions, for which you would be glad of a response. Turn the wheel clockwise, and she would consider, before deigning to swoop to the right. Press your foot closer to the thick carpet, and hear her sigh ‘must we?’ before kicking down and huffing along. She sweeps down the road as though descending a marble staircase, her chrome hanging with the effortless superiority of pearls.

The model we found is a 1981 model originally registered in Switzerland, and until recently resided near the shores of Lake Constance in Germany. Constance, as we now address her, sports a beige leather interior, electric windows and sunroof, plus ABS. Naturally, her alloy European-spec V8 (218 hp vs 155 hp in the States) is complemented by the 4-speed automatic, and naturally, any performance gusto one might expect can be bettered by, say, a Honda Fit. We tried earnestly to encourage a degree of alacrity, to which she responded by doing everything she had been doing, but more loudly. By the time there was more speed it did not seem quite so necessary; better to flick the cruise control lever up and nestle into the squishy chairs at 3,000 rpm: the lady’s not for turning.

45 Comments

Great story. I have always preferred the SL C to the 107 series SL roadster. Nice find! The swathes of brightwork, the wrap of the rear screen and those fixed louvres are all so right on the lengthened wheelbase. These elements are the last vestiges of the spirit of the 111 coupe it superseded in the minds of Daimler-Benz’s product planners. A sort of restrained extravagance. It projects the 70s zeitgeist beautifully and still incorporates the qualities DB cars were renowned for. Too bad they rusted, and the trim of the door cards rarely look as good as yours. Has the dash been reskinned? In these parts they are invariably cracked. I agree with your assessment of the driving experience – but hey, you’ll never need to change the steering box, unlike today’s racks. Best wishes for a long and happy future together.

Also, a suggestion: have the transmission rebuilt to replace the wave circlips which fatigue, break and grind their way through the gearbox. In my case the only symptom was late upshifts when it was cold and continued complaints over 12 months finally saw the pan dropped, then it was discovered to be “making metal”, as local guru charmingly puts it. New planetary drum needed and much angst before it all went back together. Oh, while it’s in the shop get a new timing chain, tensioner and guides too if there’s no record of them being done.

Nice car one of my previous neigbours friends had one in dark blue he loved it even after a massive repair equivalent to the purchase price for a rebuilt transmission he still thought it was great, I guess he was right.

Congrats Robert. A fine example in a great colour. I took the plunge on a W116 280SE and for the last almost three years it’s been relatively trouble-free (touch wood-grain).

Your description of the lack of alacrity is spot-on, mine is also pondersome but travels so majesterially that all is forgiven. I’ve recently come across a bunch of guys who all do their own work on a fleet of diesel W123s and the odd W116/W126, and they showed me how to tighten up the steering from somewhere near the top of the engine bay, but I’m not mechanically minded so I’m going to take up their offer to work on my car when needed and possibly report back to CC with any useful hints.

The SLC’s shape is growing on me. It was the W111 coupe replacement in the product range, but not really. I do agree it makes the SL look too short.

I tested a 450SE when I was browsing, and that engine is so right for the car. Drove it around some suburban backstreets and the engine’s power matched the car’s composure perfectly. But I bought the best example I could find for the money, and that ended up being a 280. And I don’t drive in anger anymore so what the hey.

This monster gets spotted on occasion. I spoke to the son of the owner who said it was used regularly.

Oooh…careful there. Before you go adjusting the free play at centre just check with a specialist to confirm what this does to the full lock positions – binds up from memory. I’ve been advised not to follow this path.

Our monster is the same DB 906 grey-blue with mushroom leather as pictured, but sans towing hitch. But then, most seen locally are this combo, the distributors must really have liked it. Odo reads 320+ K kms now but gets out rarely these days. Tandem parking is a disincentive to regular use.

Nice car. But what about parts? I considered buying an early ’80s Mercedes back some time ago. It was in great condition, at least cosmetically, and the price was right. Fortunately I checked into the parts and availability of parts, and was totally shocked. I had been used to buying American car parts, and Mercedes parts cost several times more.

Mercedes-Benz takes very good care of its heritage. In Europe parts and specialists, mostly independent, are everywhere. My guess is that it’s easier to get parts for classic Mercedes, at normal prices, than for any other brand.

In Northwestern Europe MB is also the most collected classic car. Most countries have a club for every type. So a W123 club, a W116 club, a W126 club etc.etc. Visit any classic car show and you see much more old Mercedes than old Opels or Fords.

Quotes Wikipedia:

“The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center is the official Mercedes-Benz department for Mercedes-Benz classic car owners and enthusiasts”.

“The Classic Center provides genuine parts, repairs, restorations, and information for and sales of historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles that are at least 15 years out of production”.

If there’s any very old European car I’d feel comfortable daily driving it would be from Mercedes Benz. Everything for every car they made is still available, and on top of that when you do need to replace parts they tend to last quite a long time. Even if the prices are inflated it’s really not that bad of a hit when you consider those benefits, especially since the cost presumebly goes into maintaining that kind of long term supply(American parts would cost a fortune too but the big three obsolete everything after a decade years or so). In fact, for that reason, I’d feel more comfortable driving an older Merc over a brand new one.

I agree with your remarks re quality and longevity in relation to cost, but the advertised undertaking to provide any part for any vehicle back to 1899 is simply not true nor commercially practical. Outside suppliers are not bound by such, see Neiman ignition barrels and steering locks. The final W116 applicable ignition barrel has left Stuttgart according to a workshop I visit. There was, a few years back, one correct W110/111/112 clock on the system – at AUD$4400 plus GST I declined that item. The side moulding for the (long) rear door of a W109 is NLA. I have, allegedly the last available 4 gang power window switch in the early pattern – waiting to be installed in a W112. The situation is not really any better with newer models, I know of a late W126 420 SE L (more kerning!) nicely optioned with 4 buckets which is effectively dead because the specific pin arrangement of some engine management module is unobtainium, and to change the module type means changing the harness.

When speaking to the son of the 6.9 owner (who himself had a black W123 280CE), he was saying that MB themselves only recognise the 6.9 as a ‘classic’ from the W116 range. Still, parts are around and it helps to run an engine that was commenced in the 60s like the 2.8.

jim

Posted February 14, 2015 at 4:41 PM

Your twin cam 2.8 is all 1970s (Produced 1973 – 86).

Was Mr CE named Mark, by any chance? And was the shot taken in Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn?

Classic or not the headlamp lenses are NLA. For this and many other items it’s off to “Cranbourne Star” AKA Chris Stewart, who I guess you’re familiar with. Sadly, that all ends soon as he’s moving west.

Don Andreina

Posted February 14, 2015 at 4:43 PM

Yep to location. You know the car?

jim

Posted February 14, 2015 at 5:35 PM

No. Not this exact car.

Don, this reply will likely appear out of sequence, no reply button on your last post.

Also re earlier *Insert jealousy emoticon here*…and I was thinking the same thing about your former 130 Coupe. It’s always better to borrow these things, I feel. Maybe they’ll be another local CC event and it can be coaxed along.

Warning admission of automotive negligence follows: I’ve now left it sit so long, last weekend I found the battery will not even take a charge…I have to arrange an ambulance from the “expensive care ward” to come around and revive it then spirit it away to have the rear gas cells replaced. It’s gone a bit bouncy – which is another reason why its use was limited – but when I asked only one cell could be found in the Pacific network. They’ll be out there somewhere, I have complete faith in the shop’s parts manager.

To avoid charges of automotive malpractice, be advised the service intervals for time rather than distance have been followed since daily service ended in 2007.

Don Andreina

Posted February 14, 2015 at 5:50 PM

Sorry to hear about your Roninmobile. I’m not very good at COAL type articles; the 130 coupe is on a very long list of stuff I want to write up but there are other stories I feel compelled to tell beforehand. And this list just grows longer.

I believe John H has initiated an ozcc future tradition with our visit to Motorclassica last year. Maybe see you at this year’s.

Mercedes has better parts availability then any other manufacturers. But, to say they make available EVERY part is a stretch and flat incorrect. Just as an example, I own a 78 300CD since new. Recently I felt I needed an ignition lock cylinder. It went obsolete recently.
They did get me a new key by vin# that not only worked but actually fixed the problem.
They do offer a new cylinder with a generic cut key that would have to be reset by a locksmithif you wanted it to match the doors so no worries. There are many parts not available when we speak of older than w123 & w126 cars but generally speaking they are better than the rest on the parts.

Congratulations! It’s a beautiful car, inside and out. I like the subtle green and the tan leather is perfect.

One thing Mercedes did particularly well in these cars is the dash; The instrument cluster is beautifully formed, the controls are grouped in a very pleasing arrangement under the dash and the burl wood veneer is very well done.

I would love to have an SL and I would definitely go to lengths to find one unburdened with the American mandated bumpers.

Very nice description of the start of an affair with an unusual and distinctive Mercedes. A 1980s Mercedes has for many years been on my list of cars to experience at some point, and an R107 SL is at the top of that list. Mine would be an SL roadster, but the SLC has a unique appeal of its own.

Your description of your 380SLC as having dowager-like driving characteristics was quite clever. My occasional test drives of SLs and other period Mercedes clearly conveyed that the intent of the designers was isolation and stress-free driving, not sportiness — BMW was for those who wanted a razor-sharp feel to their driving experience — so I can see what you mean. I think that several years ago I passed a threshold where the Mercedes approach appealed to me more than the BMW approach in actual everyday driving, so I am OK with the dowager driving experience!

You described the experience of driving my 450 SL to a tee. These were never meant to be corner carvers, just boulevardiers. Pretty soon the top will find its place among the rafters, and I will regret selling it to my neighbor when seeing him grin and wave on a sunny morning. But, I will also not be on the hook for the absurd bill that will come with a front and rear suspension re-fit, and any other miscellaneous items that occur on any 40 year old car. But, damn did my wife look gorgeous at the wheel…….

welcome and congrats to making an excellent automotive choice! I own an 1980 380SLC (EU spec) too and agree it’s a wonderfully comfortable and competent cruiser.

I feel mine is not a she, though! He’s like a big brawny friend, a former athlete that has grown a little floppy ’round the waist, but still has a mean punch. One of those guys who will just nod, pat you on the shoulders and say “don’t worry my friend, I got this. you relax now!” – whatever you’ll ask of him. You need to revv him, though – and will be greeted with a lovely growl and see corny 3-Series drivers with astonished facial expressions get quickly smaller in your rear view mirror!

But: if it doesn’t handle, then something needs to be fixed. The weight on the front wheels doesn’t do any good to the suspension and even if yours is a well cared for, low mile example dampers etc will be worn out. When I had the suspension overhauled last year, it was a revelation – yes, it is a heavy car and the typical MB steering vagueness doens’t help much. But trust me, it does handle very well and is very much quicker in turns than you’d ever expect it to be! PM me if you need any pointers.

Cypress green, and the green of Robert’s car, which I think was called Thistle green, were IMO two of the best colors on this car, or any other MB of the era. I’d love to see similar colors available today. They looked great with the bamboo, beige or browns available, or even the dark green leather, which is super rare.

There’s a James Patterson “novel” where one of the main characters drives one of these cars. I assumed, at the time, that a 380 was a V6 model. Without the huge bumpers these cars had in the U.S. they look quite sporty.
Sage is an unusual color, I don’t think I’ve seen more than 1 or 2 sedans that color.
Too bad Constance is a bit of a matron and not a wild child.

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful. Or should I say Wunnerfull, Wunnerfull, Wunnerfull. Love the color. Love the model. I. have thought about taking the MBZ plunge. I had thought about a 6.9 and turned down my late father in laws’ 450 SEL. I’ve turned the corner on that aggressive driving thing too. I looked in Hemmings and have seen some reasonably priced parts suppliers. Good luck with a real beauty. Love the photos also.

As a Mercedes technician with years of experience in w107 & w126 chassis models I implore any owner of specifically a 1981 380 v8 which is the first year to be very careful. That year only uses a single row timing chain. After 40,000 miles the chain and tensioner and upper plastic rail guides must be replaced.
The best thing to do is to convert the set up to a double thick chain like 82-85 380s use but this requires removing the front cover. It’s a lot of work.
Really the single chain is no problem if it’s kept snug and properly lubricated.
That means replacing it as I outlined above. And heres the important thing. If there is a rattle upon cold starting well that’s your chain telling you it’s loose. This can be visually witnessed when cold cranking through the oil filler cap on the front of the valve cover.
Unplug ignition spark. Crank & watch the chain. If its jumping or slack your car is getting ready to have a heart attack.

Awww…Jose. You really should have acquired the 450 with known history if you like the W116 – assuming it was a good example. In everyday city driving, and touring within legal limits, the 4.5 is easily 80% of the 6.9 experience with the remainder more than compensated for in the ease of servicing and availability of parts.

Yes a V6 Honda and just about everything else will outrun and out corner both variants today. However, the 6.9’s surge of torque on take-off always entertains.

I’ve always been conflicted on the styling of the SLC, for starters I genuinely don’t care for the R107 and one of the key things I never liked about them was the long flat hood, which consequently is my least favorite aspect of the SLC. What I like however is everything from the firewall back, the extra wheelbase behind the doors really helps the proportions(which I felt were too stubby on the roadster, even before current cars adopted golf cart proportions), and the hardtop roofline and back window are gorgeous executions. The full (as intended)Euro spec of this one actually makes me warm up to the whole thing though, everything compliments each other and I can’t think of a single thing I wish was different looking at it. Congrats!

It’s kinda funny what I personally relate these too, the MGB GT. I similarly never really considered the roadster very attractive, partly because I’m not really a sports car fan (with a few notable exceptions), yet once Pininfarina put a roof on it I find all kinds of appeal in it, even though the vast majority of it is shared. Both coupe conversions really made me appreciate the bones of each car.

Ahhh these look so much better without the American battering ram bumpers. They only muck up the W114/115 and W116 somewhat, but they totally ruin the 107s. I’m not the biggest fan of the regular SL, but the addition of a fixed, hardtop roof completely transforms this car. A little awkward? Perhaps – definitely unfamiliar – but I dig it. I had the chance to drive a grey market (Euro) 350SLC with the 4-speed manual once, years ago, and it was a hell of a car.

A beautiful car in a beautiful color–it took me quite some time to warm up to the “stretch” on these cars but gradually, inevitably, it did happen. And, as so often, the details make it–the built-in louvers on the quarter windows for example. Just marvelous!